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imported>C1MM: /* Demographics */ Added languages pie chart and changed infobox image

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Demographics: Added languages pie chart and changed infobox image

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{{short description|District in Sikkim, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement

| name = East Sikkim
| native_name_lang = ne
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Sikkim|District]] of [[Sikkim]]
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|photo1a = Changu Lake, Gangtok.jpg
|photo1b = Bird's eye view of Gangtok City from Ganeshtok.jpg
|photo2a = Nathang Pano 1.jpg
|size = 250
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Changu Lake, view of Gangtok, Nathang Valley
| image_flag =
| flag_alt =
| image_seal =
| seal_alt =
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| nickname =
| motto =
| mottoeng =
| image_map = SikkimEast.png
| map_alt =
| map_caption = East Sikkim's location in Sikkim
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|27|19|N|88|36|E|region:IN-SK_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|..Sikkim Flag(INDIA).png}} [[Sikkim]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| seat_type = [[Headquarters]]
| seat = [[Gangtok]]
| government_footnotes =
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 964
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 610
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 283,583
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Roads in India|Major Highways]]
| blank_info_sec1 = [[National Highway 717A (India)|NH 717A]], [[National Highway 10 (India)|NH 10]], [[National Highway 717B (India)|NH 717B]], [[National Highway 310 (India)|NH 310]], [[National Highway 310A (India)|NH 310A]]
| registration_plate = '''SK-01, SK-07, SK-08'''
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-SK]]
| website = {{URL|https://eastsikkim.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''East Sikkim''' is one of the four administrative districts of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Sikkim]]. Geographically, East Sikkim occupies the south-east corner of the state. The headquarter of East Sikkim is [[Gangtok]], which is also the state capital. It is the hub of all administrative activity in the state. The district is surrounded by [[Kalimpong district]] of [[West Bengal]] in the South and South East, [[Bhutan]] in the East, [[People's Republic of China]] in the North East, [[North Sikkim district]] in the North and [[South Sikkim district]] in the West.

The civilian region is administered by a [[district collector]], appointed by the state government and the military area by a [[major general]]. As of 2011 it is the most populous of the four [[districts of Sikkim]].<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 30 September 2011 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref>

==History==
East Sikkim was part of the kingdom of Sikkim for most of its history. In the 19th century, the district was under the rule of the [[Bhutan]]ese. After the Anglo [[Bhutan War]], the territory was virtually under the command of the British forces. After [[Indian independence movement|India's independence]] in 1947, the area was part of the kingdom of Sikkim under the protection of India. During the [[Sino-Indian War]] of 1962, the Nathula Pass witnessed a few skirmishes between India and China. In 1975, the Sikkim formally became part of the Indian Union as India's 22nd state. The district was under the occupation of the Nepalese for 30 years in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

==Transport==

===Roadways===
East Sikkim is connected with wide road network managed by [[Border Road Organization]], [[National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]] and State PWD.

East Sikkim has the following [[National highways of India|National Highways]]:

* [[National Highway 10 (India)|National Highway 10]] connecting [[Siliguri]] to [[Gangtok]], lies in East Sikkim from [[Rangpo]] to [[Gangtok]] via [[Majitar]] and [[Singtam]].
* [[National Highway 717A (India)|National Highway-717A]] connecting [[Bagrakote]] to [[Gangtok]], lies in the East Sikkim from Reshi, [[Rhenock]] to [[Gangtok]] via [[Rorathang]] and [[Pakyong]].<ref>[https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/may/28/doklam-effect-sikkim-to-get-new-all-weather-highway-1820559.html]</ref>
* [[National Highway 717B (India)|National Highway-717B]] connecting [[Rhenock]] and Menla, [[Sherathang]] via [[Zuluk]] and [[Rongli]] completely lies in East Sikkim.<ref>[https://www.constructionweekonline.in/projects-tenders/15781-nhidcl-floats-tender-for-road-works-in-sikkim?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=Social-Share]</ref>
* [[National Highway 310 (India)|National Highway-310]] connecting [[Ranipool]] and [[Nathula]] via [[Gangtok]] lies totally on East Sikkim.<ref>[https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/rajnath-inaugurates-alternate-alignment-on-nh-310-in-sikkim]</ref>
* [[National Highway 310A (India)|National Highway 310A]] connecting [[Gangtok]] and [[Mangan, India|Mangan]] lies in East Sikkim from Gangtok to Tingda via Penlong.
* Some portions of [[National Highway 510 (India)|National Highway 510]] also lies in East Sikkim in Singtam Sherwani area.

===Airways===
[[Pakyong Airport]] lies on the town of [[Pakyong]] in East Sikkim. The airport has daily direct flight services from [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|New Delhi]], [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|Guwahati]] and [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]].

===Railway===
[[Rangpo railway station|Rangpo Railway Station]] an under construction railway station of [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone]] lies on [[Rangpo|Rangpo Town]] of East Sikkim.

==Geography==
The district occupies an area of {{cvt|964|km2}}.

The two important Mountain Passes of East Sikkim are [[Nathula]] and [[Jelepla]], both passes connects Sikkim with China.

Military-wise, the district is a very sensitive area with the [[Indian army]] having control over most areas east of Gangtok and near its borders with [[People's Republic of China]] and [[Bhutan]]. Visitors to this region are restricted and just a few areas are open to tourists in the areas east of Gangtok.

Popular tourist locales are the [[Tsongmo Lake]], [[Lake Menmecho]], [[Dzuluk]], Baba Mandir, Gnathang Valley, Elephant Lake Kupup, Lungthung View Point, Tukla Valley, Thambi View Point and the [[Nathu La]] pass. The pass formed the offshoot of the ancient [[Silk Road]] which connected [[Lhasa]] to [[India]]. The pass and Baba Mandir are open to Indian nationals only. To enter this region a special permit is required; the [[Inner Line Permit]] has to be obtained one day prior to departure. This permit is made through local tourist offices. Other tourist areas include the town of Gangtok, the [[Phodong Monastery]] north of Gangtok and the [[Rumtek Monastery]].

Other special attractions in the Capital City Gangtok are M G Marg, [[Hanuman Tok]], Ranka Monastery, Himalayan Zoological Park, [[Paljor Stadium|Palzor Stadium]], Tashi View Point, Pakyong Airport view Point. Zuluk And Gnathang Valley are famous attractions in East Sikkim.

==Wildlife Sanctuaries==

[[Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary]], [[Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary]] and [[Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary]] three famous wildlife sanctuaries lies in the East Sikkim district and [[Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary]] is connected to [[Neora Valley National Park]] of [[Kalimpong district]] of [[North Bengal]] via thick forest cover in Aritar Rachela region.

==Rivers and Lakes==
===Rivers===
[[Teesta|River Teesta]], the largest river of state flows in East district from [[Dikchu]] to [[Rangpo]].

[[Rangpo River]] the third largest river of Sikkim originates from [[Lake Menmecho]] at [[Rongli|Rongli Subdivision]] of East Sikkim and flows through [[Pakyong|Pakyong Subdivision]] and [[Gangtok|Gangtok Subdivision]] villages and towns of East district before meeting river [[Teesta]] at [[Rangpo|Rangpo Town]].

[[Jaldhaka River|River Jaldhaka]] originates from Kupup at [[Rongli|Rongli Subdivision]] of East Sikkim but flows south east towards [[Bhutan]], [[West Bengal]] and [[Bangladesh]].

Other major rivers of east sikkim are [[Ranikhola]], Richu Khola, Rongli Khola, Pachey Khola, Rangchang Khola, Raatey Khola etc.

===Lakes===
List of important lakes of East Sikkim are:
* [[Lake Menmecho]]
* [[Lake Tsomgo]]
* Elephant Lake
* [[Aritar|Aritar Lake]]
* Manju Lake
* Mulkharka Lake
* Nathula Lake
* Gnathang Heart Lake
* Yalk-la Lake. etc

==Flora and Fauna==
Variety of plants and wildlife are found in the East Sikkim. The important ones are [[Red Panda]] the state animal, [[Blood pheasant]] the state bird [[Dendrobium nobile]] the state flower and [[Rhododendron]] the state tree are found in the wildlife sanctuaries of East sikkim. Other important wild animals include [[Snow Leopard]], [[Himalayan black bear]], [[Clouded leopard]], [[Large Indian civet]] etc.<ref name=parks>{{cite web|author=Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment |title=Protected areas: Sikkim |url=http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm |access-date=25 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823163836/http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm |archive-date=23 August 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>
Forest Department, Government of Sikkim has also confirmed the presence of [[Royal Bengal Tiger]] in the [[Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary]] of East Sikkim on January 2019.<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/photograph-confirms-presence-of-tiger-in-sikkim/article25952265.ece]</ref>

==Demographics==
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] East Sikkim district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 283,583,<ref name="districtcensus"/> roughly equal to the nation of [[Barbados]].<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | access-date = 1 October 2011 | quote = Barbados 286,705 July 2011 est.
}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 574th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert| 295 |PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was 14.79%.<ref name=districtcensus/> East Sikkim has a [[sex ratio]] of 872 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 84.67%.<ref name=districtcensus/>

===Religion===
{{bar box
|title = Religion in East Sikkim district (2011)<ref name="Census">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.com/census/district/462-west-sikkim.html|title=East Sikkim District Religion Census 2011|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|62.74}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism]]|yellow|25.55}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|dodgerblue|8.25}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|2.19}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|1.35}}
}}
[[File:Viswa vinayaka.jpg|thumb|[[Shri Viswa Vinayaka Mandir Rhenock|Shri Viswa Vinayaka Mandir temple in Rhenock]]]]

Hinduism is followed by majority of the people in the East Sikkim district. Buddhism followed by a considerable minority, while Christianity is the third largest religion, 40% of its adherents live in Gangtok. Islam is the fourth-largest religion and is mainly found in migrants in urban centres, mainly Gangtok.<ref name="Census"/>

===Languages===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of East Sikkim (2011)
|label1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]] |value1 = 65.59 |color1 = maroon
|label2 = [[Hindi]] |value2 = 8.63 |color2 = orange
|label3 = [[Sikkimese language|Bhotia]] |value3 = 8.16 |color3 = deepskyblue
|label4 = [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]] |value4 = 3.41 |color4 = darkblue
|label5 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] |value5 = 2.25 |color5 = red
|label6 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value6 = 1.68 |color6 = gold
|label7 = [[Limbu language|Limbu]] |value7 = 1.55 |color7 = lavender
|label8 = [[Tamang language|Tamang]] |value8 = 1.49 |color8 = skyblue
|label9 = [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]] |value9 = 1.14 |color9 = purple
|label10 = Others |value10 = 6.1 |color10 = grey
}}
At the time of the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]], 65.59% of the population in the district spoke [[Nepali language|Nepali]], 8.63% [[Hindi]], 8.16% [[Sikkimese language|Bhutia]], 3.41% [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]], 2.25% Bhojpuri, 1.68% [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 1.55% [[Limbu language|Limbu]], 1.49% [[Tamang language|Tamang]], 1.14% [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]], 0.75% [[Rai languages|Rai]] and 0.51% [[Standard Tibetan|Tibetan]] as their first language.<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html 2011 Census of India, Population By Mother Tongue]</ref>
==Assembly Constituencies==
The district is divided into 12 [[assembly constituency|assembly constituencies]].
*[[Khamdong-Singtam (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Khamdong-Singtam]]
*[[West Pendam (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|West Pendam]] (SC)
*[[Rhenock (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rhenock]]
*[[Chujachen (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chujachen]]
*[[Gnathang-Machong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Gnathang-Machong]] (BL)
*[[Namchaybong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Namcheybung]]
*[[Shyari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Shyari]] (BL)
*[[Martam-Rumtek (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Martam-Rumtek]] (BL)
*[[Upper Tadong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Upper Tadong]]
*[[Arithang (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Arithang]]
*[[Gangtok (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Gangtok]] (BL)
*[[Upper Burtuk (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Upper Burtuk]]

==Divisions==
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 300
| footer = <br><div style="text-align: center;">'''Scenes from the district'''</div>
| image1 = Kanchengaga View from Gangtok.JPG
| alt1 =
| caption1 = <div style="text-align: center;">View of Kanchengaga from Gangtok</div>
| image2 = Gangtok night amit mitra.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = <div style="text-align: center;">Gangtok at night</div>
| image3 = Baby lama.JPG
| alt3 =
| caption3 = <div style="text-align: center;">A young monk</div>
}}

===Administrative divisions===
East Sikkim is divided into three sub-divisions:<ref>{{cite map |publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |title=Sikkim Administrative Divisions |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/maps/administrative_maps/SIKIM.pdf |language=en |format=PDF |year=2011 |access-date=29 September 2011 }}</ref>

{{East Sikkim image map}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" width=65% style="border:1px solid black"
|- bgcolor=#EDAFFF
| width="10%" | '''Name'''
| width="20%" | '''Headquarters'''
| width="20%" | '''Number of villages'''<ref name='MDDS'>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/MDDS/mdds_dir_Rural_11.pdf | title = MDDS e-Governance Code (Sikkim Rural) | access-date = 15 October 2011 | year = 2011 | format = PDF | publisher = Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}</ref>
| width="10%" | '''Location'''
|- bgcolor=#EFE4B0
| Gangtok|| [[Gangtok]]|| || [[File:East Sikkim Subdivisions Gangtok.png|120px|center]]
|- bgcolor=#EFE4B0
| Pakyong|| [[Pakyong]]|| || [[File:East Sikkim Subdivisions Pakyong.png|120px|center]]
|- bgcolor=#EFE4B0
| Rongli|| [[Rongli]]|| || [[File:East Sikkim Subdivisions Rongli.png|120px|center]]
|}

==Important Towns and Cities==
The major towns and cities of East District are
*[[Gangtok]]
*[[Pakyong]]
*[[Singtam]]
*[[Rangpo]]
*[[Rorathang]]
*[[Rhenock]]
*[[Rongli]]
*[[Ranipool]]
*[[Dikchu]]
*[[Sherathang]]
*[[Majitar]], [[Urban village]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://eastsikkim.nic.in/ Official district government website]
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|East Sikkim}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = East Sikkim
|North = [[North Sikkim]]
|Northeast =
|East = {{flag|Bhutan}}
|Southeast =
|South = [[Darjeeling district]], [[West Bengal]]
|Southwest =
|West = [[South Sikkim]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{East Sikkim district}}
{{Sikkim}}

[[Category:East Sikkim district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Sikkim]]

East Sikkim district - Revision history

Sameer: adjust formatting as per guidelines and added references to improve readability

>Kautilya3: Corrections

imported>C1MM: /* Demographics */ Added languages pie chart and changed infobox image